So far we’ve looked at what angels are not, and what they can’t do. It’s about time to look at what they are! First and foremost, angels are God’s messengers. In fact, the Greek word angelos, which is where we get our English word angel (I know—profound), means messenger from God.
In the first post of this series, I addressed the fact that many people in our modern-world don’t really believe in anything they can’t see, touch, hear, etc. However, angels play a crucial role in the Christian faith. It would be almost impossible to tell the Christmas Story without the involvement of these messengers of God. Here are just a few of the verses from Luke which highlight this.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him . . . the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zachariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” . . . The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.” (Luke 1:11-13, 19)
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-28)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:8-11)
Throughout the book of Acts, we see examples of God’s messengers giving instruction and direction to members of the early church. Philip was instructed to travel a certain road, where he was able to witness to an Ethiopian (Acts 8:26). Cornelius was instructed to send for Peter, who witnessed to Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:3). Peter was assured that none of the men sailing with him would be lost to the storm that threatened the ship (Acts 27:23). These are just a few of the messages delivered by angels to God’s followers throughout the New Testament.
While there is no reason to believe that angels do not still speak to people when God so instructs, it is important to be cautious. Remember there are two sides to the unseen battle. The ultimate instruction we possess from God is the Bible. He will never have one of his messengers communicate anything that is counter to the scripture He has already given us.
In the first post of this series, I addressed the fact that many people in our modern-world don’t really believe in anything they can’t see, touch, hear, etc. However, angels play a crucial role in the Christian faith. It would be almost impossible to tell the Christmas Story without the involvement of these messengers of God. Here are just a few of the verses from Luke which highlight this.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him . . . the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zachariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” . . . The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.” (Luke 1:11-13, 19)
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-28)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:8-11)
Throughout the book of Acts, we see examples of God’s messengers giving instruction and direction to members of the early church. Philip was instructed to travel a certain road, where he was able to witness to an Ethiopian (Acts 8:26). Cornelius was instructed to send for Peter, who witnessed to Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:3). Peter was assured that none of the men sailing with him would be lost to the storm that threatened the ship (Acts 27:23). These are just a few of the messages delivered by angels to God’s followers throughout the New Testament.
While there is no reason to believe that angels do not still speak to people when God so instructs, it is important to be cautious. Remember there are two sides to the unseen battle. The ultimate instruction we possess from God is the Bible. He will never have one of his messengers communicate anything that is counter to the scripture He has already given us.
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